Bismarck masked flying fox
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Chiroptera
Family: Pteropodidae
Genus: Pteropus
Species:
P. capistratus
Binomial name
Pteropus capistratus
Peters, 1867
Bismarck masked flying fox range
(green — native, brown — vagrant)
Synonyms
  • Pteropus temminckii capistratus (Peters, 1867)

The Bismarck masked flying fox (Pteropus capistratus) is a species of flying fox in the family Pteropodidae found in Papua New Guinea and named after the Bismarck Archipelago. It was once considered a subspecies of Pteropus temminckii before being reassessed in 2001. This species has two subspecies, P. c. capistratus and P. c. ennisae.[2] The IUCN classified it as Near Threatened in 2009, noting that the rate of decline is almost high enough to reclassify the species as Vulnerable.[1]

Taxonomy

The Bismarck masked flying fox was described as a new species in 1867 by German naturalist Wilhelm Peters.[3] Prior to 1995, the Bismarck masked flying fox was largely considered a subspecies of the Temminck's flying fox (Pteropus temminckii).[4]

Description

Its forearm length is 109–118 mm (4.3–4.6 in).[5]

Biology and ecology

It is one of the rare species of mammals in which the males can lactate.[6] It is generally solitary, though males and females may roost together in pairs.[7]: 6 

Range and habitat

The Bismarck masked flying fox is endemic to Papua New Guinea where it has been documented at a range of elevations from 0–1,200 m (0–3,937 ft) above sea level.[1]

Conservation

As of 2021, it is evaluated as a vulnerable species by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this designation because it has a small population size, likely numbering fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. It is experiencing significant habitat loss and population decline.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Pennay, M.; Lavery, T.H.; Roberts, B. (2021). "Pteropus capistratus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T84891540A22012219. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T84891540A22012219.en. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  2. ↑ D.E. Wilson & D.M. Reeder, 2005: Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference. Third Edition. The Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore
  3. ↑ Peters, W. (1867). "Mittheilung über die Pelzrobbe von den Inseln St. Paul und Amsterdam und über die von S.M.S. Gazelle mitgebrachten Flederthiere" [Communication about the fur seals from the islands of St. Paul and Amsterdam and those of S.M.S. Gazelle brought along bats]. Monatsberichte der Königlichen Preussische Akademie des Wissenschaften zu Berlin (in German): 316–317.
  4. ↑ "Pteropus capistratus". ITIS. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
  5. ↑ Flannery, T. F. (1995). Mammals of the south-west Pacific & Moluccan Islands. Cornell University Press. p. 184. ISBN 978-0801431500.
  6. ↑ Bats: A World of Science and Mystery (Hardcover) by M. Brock Fenton, Nancy B. Simmons, p. 168.
  7. ↑ Pierson, E. D.; Rainey, W. E. (1992). "The biology of flying foxes of the genus Pteropus: a review". Biological Report. 90 (23).
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